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Article published March 4, 2013

Creek crash victim remains in critical condition

ZELIENOPLE — Police continue to investigate the cause of Sunday night’s crash that left a Seneca Valley Middle School special education teacher trapped in his upside-down car partially submerged in a creek.Henry Leo Stefanacci, 48, was injured and remains in critical condition this morning at UPMC Presbyterian in Pittsburgh after the one-car wreck about 9 p.m. on Halstead Boulevard.Stefanacci possibly suffered the effects of hypothermia-type symptoms from being in the freezing water of Connoquenessing Creek for 30 minutes or more, rescuers said.Zelienople police believe Stefanacci was northbound on Halstead Boulevard near the Schrieber Industrial Park when he lost control of his 2002 Toyota Camry while traveling around a bend.The car went off the road and plunged down a 15-foot embankment into the creek.The crash happened about one-quarter mile from Stefanacci’s house. Police said his wife reportedly had last seen him about noon Sunday.At Seneca Valley School District, spokeswoman Linda Andreassi said in a statement that faculty, staff and students were “saddened to hear about the accident, especially given the serious nature of the injuries.”“Our thoughts and prayers are with him for a full recovery,” she said.